Dental instrument



July 11, 1933. M. PAULE 1,917,851

DENTAL INSTRUMENT Filed May 9, 1930 Patented July 11. 1933 UN-HTEDSTATES MITCHELL M. PAULE, or DALLAS. TEXAs DENTAL INSTRUMENT Applicationfiled May 9, 1930. Serial No. 450,985.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in dentalinstruments. I

As is now common practice in dental surgery, X-ray photographs are takenfor examiningand diagnosing the condition of the teeth and relativeparts of the mouth. Such procedure unnecessarily consumes a good deal oftime and expense due to the develop ing of the photograph films, whichoften turn out bad and have to be retaken.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved dental instrumentto be used in connection with an X-ray machine for examining the teethand relative parts of the mouth, whereby a complete, quick, and

accurate diagnosis of the condition of they teeth and relative parts ofthe mouth may be obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide adjustable means foradapting a fluoroscopic screen within the mouth to various positionsopposite the teeth therein, where by a true image of the teeth may bethrown on the screen by an X-ray machine positioned outside the mouthand opposite the screen.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable reflectorwhich may be positioned at various anglesto the fluoroscopic screenwhereby the images on the screen will be reflected at a convenientvisible angle to the dentists eyes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an instrument ofthe type illustrated, so shaped and constructed as to occupy a smallamount of space within the mouth and yet reveal the image of severalteeth at each position ofthe device and the X-ray, Whereby. the numberof positions required of the device and the X-ray for examining all ofthe teeth is reduced.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing inwhich an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a device as constructed in accordancewith the invention, Figure 2 is a view partly in section and partly inelevation showing the device .as used in connection with an X-raymachine.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the fluoroscopic screen, 7 I

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 44 of Figure 3, I

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are perspective views of alternate forms offluoroscopic screen holders, and I Figure 8 is aperspective View of analternate form of reflector.

In the drawing the numeral 10 designates handle having screwthreadedinto one. end thereof one endof an elongated stem '11. The other end ofthe stem has a socket 12 made integral therewith for receiving a ball 13on one end of .a stub shank 14.3 An internally screw-threaded collar 15is provided on the other end of the shank 14 for receiving the threadedend of a curved shank' lfl made integral with a concavo-convex frame orholder 17 at oneend thereof. v t

The rim ofthe holder is of arcuate shape in cross section (Fig. 4) toprovidefor the replaceable mounting therein of a fluoroscopic screen 18,such as'is commonly used in medical practices. It is to be understood,that the invention is not to be limited to a particular mounting of thescreen 18 in the holder'lZ as various forms of screen mountings may beused with equal results.

A collar 19 is rotatably mounted-onthe stem 11 intermediate its endsbetween a collar 20 secured to the stem and a nut 21'screwthreadedonsaid stem. A stub shank 22 made integral with thecollar extendstherefrom at a curve and is provided at its outer end with a socket 23.Thesocket receives a ball 24 on one end of a shank 25 made integral.with and extending at a curve from a rectangular frame 26. A suitablereflector 27, such as a mirror or the like, is suitably mounted in theframe.

In using the device the screen 18 is adjusted 1 in relation to the stem11 whereby the screen may be conveniently positioned in a patients mouthA, opposite teeth B, which are to be examined. As best shown in Fig. 2,an X-ray machine 28 is positioned outside the mouth and opposite thescreen 18 whereby the rays from the machine 28 will throw a clear imageof the teeth and their relative parts intermediate the machine andscreen onto said screen, thus disclosing to the operators or. dentistsvision the condition of the teeth. It may be readily seen that byshifting the positions of the screen 18 and X-ray machine relative tothe teeth that the dentist may make a'quick and accurate diagnosis ofthe conditionof the teeth. Best results are obtained in a darkened room.

By positioning the reflector 27 adjacent the screen 18and at a suitableangle thereto, the images on the screen are reflected at a con- Venientvisible angle to the dentists eyes, thus making for visibility of thedevice as well as convenience in use.

It is pointed out that as inner portions of l the mouth relative to theteeth are curved the concavoeoonvex shape of the screen 18 will permitthe ready application of said screen to the curved portions of the mouththereby providing for a clearer and more accurate imageof the teeth onthe screen.

In Figs. and 6 I how two modified forms of screen holders 17 and 18either of which may be screwed into the collar to replace theconcavo-convex frame 17 for use opposite the straighter portions of themouth, such as the lower jaws.

Also in Fig. 8 I show a modified form of reflector 19 which may be usedin connection with holder- 18 vshown in Fig. 6.

In Figure -7 I show a concavo-convex shaped holder 20 which has amodified form of shank 16 extending therefrom for screwing into thehandle 10 to replace the stem 11 and its associated parts, whenever itis desired to use the screen without the reflector. This form alsoprovides a rigid mounting for the screen. 7

It is pointed out that the simplicity of structure together with thecompact arrangement and adj ustability of the parts-not only makes forconvenience in use, but for practicability as Well. Obviously by the useof this device much unnecessary expense and inefficiency, due to thetaking and developing of X-ray photographic films, is eliminated, alsotimecan be saved as a quick and efficient diagnosis of the teeth by theuse of the X-ray can be'obta'ined while the patient is in the chair. Bythe use of. this instrument, broken roots as well as broken hypodermicor surgical needles can be accurately located and removed.

Due to the replaceable mounting of the screen in the holder,,said screenmay be removed for the sterilizing of the instrument after use.

' What I claim is:

1. In a dental fluoroscope, an elongated stem having a handle at one endthereof, an enlarged open frame extending from the other end of the stemand at an angle thereto, a fluorescent screen carried by said frame, andan enlarged reflector adj ustably mounted with relation to said frameand'adapted in close proximity thereto, whereby said reflector maybeadjusted with relation to said frame for reflecting an image on thescreen to a desired point of visibility. I

2. In a dental fluoroscope, an elongated stem-like handle, an enlargedopen frame extending from one end of said handle and adjustably mountedwith relationthereto, afluorescent screen carried by said frame, and anenlarged reflector mounted on the handle and adapted for adjustment withrelation thereto and in close proximity to the frame, whereby saidreflector may be adjusted; with relation to said frame for reflection ofan image on the screen to a desired point of visibility irrespective ofthe position of the screen. 1

3. In a dental fluoros'cope, an elongated stem having a. handle at oneend thereof, an

enlarged open frame having a reduced shank extending therefrom at anangle, said shank being connected with the other end of the stem andadapted for adjustment with relation thereto, a fluorescent screenmounted in the frame, and an enlarged reflector having a reduced shankextending therefrom at-an angle, said shank being adjustably mountedon'th'e stem and adapted for positioning of thereflector withrelation tosaid stem and in close proximity to the frame, whereby said .reflectormay be adjusted with relation to said frame for reflection of an imageon the screen to ZtdQSllQCl point of visibility irrespective'of theposition of the screen. r

testimony whereof Iaflix'm'y signature.

I MITCHELL ML 'P ULE;

